Success for both Orkney breweries at major Scottish awards

Orkney IPA from the Swannay Brewery claimed the gold medal at the event, being named the Champion Beer of Scotland. It's the fifth time Swannay has taken the title.

Orkney IPA from the Swannay Brewery - the newly crowned Champion Beer of ScotlandThe 4.8% beer is Swannay Brewery’s take on the classic, heavily-hopped British IPA and forms part of its core range. The judges at the event were impressed by the balanced flavours and drinkability of the beer.

Swannay Brewery’s Dark Munro, Scapa Special, Orkney Blast and Orkney Best have previously been named Champion Beer of Scotland at the Festival.

Rob Hill, managing director at Swannay Brewery, said: “We are over the moon to win the Champion Beer of Scotland award. We have been making Orkney IPA for eight or nine years and it has just gone from strength to strength. It’s a good old mix of European hops with a handful of American hops added to provide some zestiness.”

The Orkney Brewery claimed the bronze medal for its 4.0% Red MacGregor, a ruby ale with hints of spiciness and toasted malts. The brewery has had three previous gold medal wins at the event, for its Dark Island in 2000 and 2003, and its Raven Ale in 2009.

The Scottish Real Ale Festival at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange venue showcases hundreds of the best real ales by around one hundred breweries from across Scotland. The competition marked the first day of the Festival, which runs until the 7th of July.

The Digital Orkney project has been part financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Orkney LEADER 2014-2020 Programme.

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